Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
At some point, my focus shifted from the puppy, who was currently sniffing a blade of frost-bitten grass as if it held the secrets to the universe, to the grandiose rustic mansion on the other side of the closed lake, with gold light shining through the many windows. I’d never seen anything like it.
Coby was in there.
I was starting to question less and less whether she was safe, while gradually accepting that if she was with Ocean, it was almost certain.
Still…
I discreetly searched the grounds for weaknesses and blind spots—somewhere I could slip through and see for myself that Coby was unharmed, happy, and living her best soft girl life.
It’s what she always wanted ever since she lost her parents and her brother began resenting her.
To be a part of a family again.
Once upon a time, I was dumb enough to believe that I could be family enough for her.
Maybe it was selfish of me to fight so hard to take this away from her if Ocean spoke the truth and it was what she wanted.
I stopped feeling my toes five minutes ago, so it took me too long to notice the puppy had stopped sniffing everything in sight and was now huddled on my slippered feet for warmth as its tiny body shivered violently.
“Time to go, cutie.” Bending down, I lifted the puppy, who climbed up my arm and tried to hide inside the cradle between my neck and shoulder. He was so small that he actually fit. Turning, I came to a stop when I saw that I had an audience. Ocean was sitting on the steps and leaning back with his elbow resting on the porch as if he was watching his favorite show. Abel stood next to him, glaring at me like he was daring me to make a move. I smiled a little, glad to see that the bodyguard knew very well I could end him.
Slowly, I made my way over to the cabin, but neither of them spoke a word as my gaze darted back and forth, wondering why they were here.
Abel was keeping his boss safe. That much was obvious. It was Ocean whose intentions remained unknown. Especially when I didn’t see Coby anywhere.
As soon as I was standing by Ocean’s foot, he spoke. “Good evening, Hunter.”
“Good evening,” I returned amicably. I didn’t want to piss him off and risk him taking my new friend away. I didn’t think he was that kind of guy, but Ocean was unpredictable. Coby talked about him like he was Prince Charming or something, but I saw firsthand that he could be cruel, too.
“I see you found my gift.”
“Yes, thank you.” My gaze nervously flicked back to Abel again.
Not one to miss anything, Ocean stood and dismissed his head of security. Abel, of course, argued against leaving me alone with his precious charge. While the big, bad men bickered over the dangers of little ol’ me, I slipped by them and returned to the warmth of the cabin.
My belly tightened and filled with heat when I heard the door open and close moments later.
I turned to see Ocean darkening the door, but he was thankfully alone.
Neither of us spoke for several moments, and yet somehow we both said far too much.
“How did you know?” I eventually allowed myself to ask, trying and failing to keep my awe and gratitude out of my tone.
Ocean moved deeper into the cabin while boldly eye-fucking me like I already belonged to him. “I may have heard it from a little birdie.”
“Coby told you I wanted a puppy?” I asked as I sat on the couch and transferred the puppy to my lap. He immediately curled into a ball with a warning growl directed at Ocean. I didn’t think it was possible to love the little cutie more. “She told you I wanted a Yorkie?”
“She let it slip,” Ocean said while dropping down onto the couch next to me and stretching to get comfortable, when I scowled at him.
“Oh…well, thanks. You can go now.”
Ocean grinned at my dismissal and stayed right where he was, so I ignored his ass while I petted the puppy’s black fur. “What are you going to name him?”
“Coco,” I answered immediately.
“It’s a boy, Vengeance.”
“Coco,” I echoed. I turned my head to glare at him.
Ocean tucked his lips to keep from laughing, but his eyes were snitching on him. “Coco it is.”
“Why are you here?”
Ocean sighed and mumbled, “I figured you could use some company.”
“I thought that’s what Coco was for?”
“And to bring you this.” Ocean extended his leg and kicked over the reusable tote bag on the low coffee table that I hadn’t even noticed he brought in with him. It was from the pet store.
Immediately, I stood and set the puppy down. He lifted his head to watch me, but stayed put while I searched the store bag.